Transmitting tube for submarines and like vessels



1() and 11 in any desired manner, the structure being shown integral in the accompanying drawing. At this time, it is to be understood that one or more of the casings 12 may be employed at spaced intervals about the member 14. These wall members are joinedy f by integral tubular bodies 15, 1G, 17, 18 and 19, the bodies 18 and19 being shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, while the others are illustrated in Fig. 1. These bodies are all of: substantially the same construction and the outerends thereof are externally threaded as seen at 20, Fig. 5 of the drawing, in which figure, one of the tubes is shown in section.

rlhe externally threaded extensions of said tubes are contained within a chamber 21 formed within the casing 12 outwardly of the wall 13, and the tubes are arranged in a circumferential path about what might be termed the axis or central portion of the casing. 1

A ring or eye 22 is secured to the wall 13 centrally thereof and is mounted within the chamber 21, and is used for the purpose of f coupling a guide rope, or coupled therewith in the use ot the apparatus as later described. Another chamber 23 is formed inwardly ot' the wall 14 which opens into a room or compartment within the vessel .to give access to the inner ends of the tubes 15 .to 19 inclusive.

The inner ends of the tubes 15, 17, 18 and 19 or the ends contained within the chamber 23 are each provided with valves 24 to control the communication through the passages in said tubes, while' the tube 16 is of special construction and is adapted for use as a signal tube, utilizing an electric light bulb or bulbs for transmitting signals. This tube is provided at its inner end with a closure cap 25 supporting a lens 2G which closes the inner end of the tube and through which signal light-s may be seen as later described. This tube is also preferably provided with a drain cool; 27 to drain oli water which may collectin the tube in the use ot the apparatus.

The chamber 23 is normally closed by a rover plate 28 mounted upon studs 29 in the inner wall 1 1 of the bulkhead. which studs are engaged by nuts 30 rotatably mounted in and carried by the cover 28. said cover preferably seating on a gasket 31 to insure a water and air-tight connection between the parts. `The cover 28 is also provided with a drain `cock 32 for relieving air pressure or water th at may be contained within the chamber 23 in the use of the apparatus and is also provided with a transparent panel or sight 33 arranged in alinement with the lens 2G at the end of the tube 16.

The outer chamber 21 is normally closer by a plate or cover which is shown at 34 in Fig. 3 oi' the drawing, said cover carrying,r nuts 35 similar to the nuts 30 engaging studs 3G on the outer wall 10 of the bulkhead. The

cover 34 is provided with a plug 37 having an ane'ular socket 37a to receive a suitable wrench whereby the plug may be removed to close the pressure on both sides of the cover to facilitate the removal thereof in putting the transmitting properties into use.

lVe Valso employ in conjunction with the casing 12 and the several tubes thereof, a plurality oi tlexible tubes which lead from a source of supply and which are adapted to be coupled with the tubes 15 to 19 inclusive as a unit. In practice, we provide a coupling member 38 in the form of a ring-like body having a plurality ot' depending circumferen tially spaced arms 39 'forming therebetween, apertures 40, and the ends ot the arms 39 are joined by an annular ring or flange 41 carrying at spaced intervals, nuts 42 which are adapted to be mounted upon the studs 3G ailfter the cover 34 has been removed in the manner indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. A plurality of coupling members 4?, all ol the same construction, are spaced circumferentially of the ring 38 and rest in seats or bearings formed in said ring and in such manner as to be in proper axial alinenent with the tubes 15 to 19 inclusive. These couplings are held in place by arc-shaped straps 44 as clearly seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The iiexible tubes 45 for placing the tubes 15 to 19 inclusive in communication with a source ot' supply or atmosphere are secured to the couplings 43 in any desired manner as seen at 46.4 The ends out the couplings 43 are provided with coupling nuts 47 adapted to be threaded upon the external threads ot the j tubes 15 to 19 inclusive, and al suitable pack ing 48 is preferably carried by the coupling-s 43 to insure a seal in the joint between the couplings and said tubes.

The coupling 43 to be coupled with the tube 1G differs from other couplings in that the same includes a projecting pipe 49 provided at its outer end with a lens 50. ln said pipes and insulated therefrom by insulation 51 are two circuit wires 52 and 53 which wiresare coupled or placed in circuit with each ot three electric bulbs 54. and 51" arranged in a chamber at the other end ul the pipe so that said bulbs may be visible through the lens 50, and lens 26, the transparent panel or side 33.

ln Figs. 1 to 5 inclusi ve.` we have shown the apparatus as applied to what might he termed a double wall hull or bulkhead. In Fig. 6 of the drawing. we have shown a modificationwherein a single wall bulkhead 57 is employed. This bulkhead is set inwardly where our improved apparatus is to be located as shown at 58 to form a chamber 59 outwardly of the portion 58 of the bulkhead, which is as well as v L closed by a cover 60 similarto the' cover 34,"

saidV cover having nuts 6l engaging studs y62 on'the bulkhead.- The studs 62 are the saine as the studs 36. In the [constructionshovvn b; in Fig. 6, the Wall 57er the offset portion 58v thereof is preferably provided with eircum`-v ferentially spaced bushings 63111l Which pipes or tubes 64 are mounted and secured. Thev pipes 64 are Vof the same construction' at their endV portions Aas 'the' tubes"V l 13 shownin Figsal and2o`f thedravvingxff The pipes 6 1 are externally threaded torei' l 'ceive clampnuts 651v and l6.6 arranged atfth-e outer and inner 'endsfof said pipesgandv eooperating-with the corresponding ends `'of the bilishingsfto form Water and airtight )seals between` the' "pipes Vfand o said bushings.

It desA jed, "suitable paclirigsr, mayV be Aem- `With thefconstructioii shoiif'ii iiilllfigf-G, it Will be understood thatfthe pipes extend into;

a ychamber or compartmeii't of a ship',and tlijeV inner ends offsaidpip'es arenornially'closed by a cover 67 which is cup-shapedfin forni and provided Withfa pe'ripherial-flange681m whichA is mounted a plurality `ofnutfs 69 coupled with the innerA ends ofthe'studs'62.; It :vvilll'also be noted that fan an'cliorring '(Qsiinilar to theV ring E22 is secured centrally-of the Wall 58" and is arranged Within'the cli`ra'mb'er'59. o

'ln `the .use of1 our 'invention lasillustrated in both iforms of `eoiistructionshovvnyit" will be understood th at the 'tifon'to `form elosuresfforthe chambers and `tubes l'of rny-"apparatusgl 34 and 60 areof such structureiaslto not ma i In-theli'irststep in teriallyinterfere with th'erpurposeljof the vessel throughrthe Wateror to oierwany resistance*which Would be detrimental. YIn'the event o" the-sinlringpof-a ship Vor vessel through accidentor otherwise, and especially inthe case 'of the sinkingofsubmarines Where" 'tliesearnen are confined invonev or more roomsv or compartments ofthe vessel, thelrves of the seamen. so trapped vorcoiiiined may be saved ,While the'salvaging of the ship ltakes place;

putting' our apparatus into .operatioma diver descends' to the'ship z a'i'idireiiioves the nuts 35, 'retaining the cover vfacilitate 34 'in plaeeaand alsoyremovesthe plug 37th 'studs 36Y by equalizingthejpressur'e4 on` both sides of the cover. It is be coupledfwith the ring F32 in order to facilitate'thefurtlier steps necessaryvt'o accomplish the desired result.

y iThe cable in 'question is lindicated 'by the dotted -linesat 71 inFig; 1

' ofthe drawing, andthis cable'niay serveas a guideinemberfor'sending down to the. diver the unit consisting of-theringsflll'with the couplings-7.48 mounted thereinandggthefV pipesvor tubes Coupled' therewith(Ev Vfhen 15 to 19 inclusive Vand are so arranged as to receive the couplingsl '15! t'ol9` inclusive, the tubes 45 Vmay out toreinove the Water tlierefroim'roni they Y deck'of afsalvaging vessel; When tion 'is completed, the signal ,Willnbe' transfcovers 28jar1df34 as vvell jas the coversGO aind-671areiiiounted.in,posifY The `outerV covers l the removal lot4 the coverfromtheV preferred'that a cablev or other guidestraud tallzen'dowiiby the 'diver Vment ofsaety,

' will be regarded;

this unit reaches the desired position 'on the l hull of the vessel'Where the cover34 hasbeen removed, the ring 41 is placed in position upon thestuds 36 andv theends 42 are threaded onto said studs to secure said ring, the arms` 39 and ring 38 which may be termed a frame, in position." When properly placed and se-V cured 'in position, the couplings 43 `Will be arranged in'aXial alinemeii't with the tubes 15 to V19inclusive, and the couplings 47 Will then fbeitlireaded onto the threaded ends 2O of said tubesY Tf1 Suitable ivrenchoperated through ribs 39,: it being 24 on the inner so-f Vthe apertures 40'between the understood Ythat the valves ends of the tubes 15, 17, 18 and 19 are closed While't-lieiii1ierend of the tube 16 is closed by theleiis and cap employed.

o In loweringthe coupl air may be pumped'th'rough the several tubes 45 with the exception of the tube carrying the electric Wires, the latter Vbeing normally sealed in order tojprevent Water from entering' said tubes in this operation. On the other'hand, l

said tubes may be lowered, allowing theiwater to pass therethrough, and atter the connec tion hasbeen Completed with the several tubes be pumped mitted to thoseivithinthe coinpartinentfiof the ship/with which the chamberveommunicates by the iiiclrering or flashing. oi one or otherl message notifying those'vvithin the comthis opera-V ng unit through the water prior .to 'securing the saine in position Y as o, above stated, compressed S5 I partmentgthat"the couplinghas :been made.

TheV vvalveBQ onfthe'oovero-QS Vvvill then bel @Pensato testwhether or not any leek @XMS 16s inthe various couplings of the lpipesfthis Vbeiiigafmatterof safety, `and .1f no leak occurs, the cover'QS isthen removed by loos- `e'iiing the-nuts 3Q; Any Water ivhioh maybe containedrlivitliin the tube 16 is Withdrawn through theidraiii cock 27,. and the valves 24 of one'or'more ofthe tubes'17, lSand lSlare Aopened to `complete the communication bei -tiveeiithe said compartment of the vesseliand Vthe atmosphere above ftheV Water Vlevel :and

"from the deck of 'the' salvaging vessel;-rk At 'all times,` any desircdsignal may be transmitted 1 to those Within the compartment intlieoperaf tionof the lights contained Withinthe tube Vl'which are visible through the lenses 26. and .50." yllieuseof three'lights ismerely au {ele}- iiisuring that atleast one of Y saidV lights Will operate, Vin thee'vent that two Aof the lights shouldV become inoperative lor burn out foraiiy reason;

Forthe purpose of illustratingftheuse of the eXliaustof air to atmosphere above vthe Water level,V Whereas izoY y ic

the tube 1T mav be utilized for pumping or the compartment from the suitable appara tus on the salvaging vessel. The tube 18 may be used for the transmission of food products in small packages or carriers of any form to those within the compartment, whereas the tube i9 may be used for any other purpose that may be desired such as for sending tools, implements, electric wires and the like to those in the compartment o'l' the vessel, for example to transmit electric energy for heat'- ing electrical apparatus to maintain the desired temperature in said compartment, as will be apparent.

lt will be understood that the fra-me cognsisting of the rings 38 and di, joined by the arms 39, in addition to maintaining the couplings Li3 in unit arrangement, also serves to reinforce and brace said couplings to prevent and obviate breakage thereof when subjected to stress or strain, especially when the apparatus is ex dosed to heavy seas or rough weather.

With our improved apparatus, it will be apparent that the life of the seamen contained within the compartment in question may be maintained for an indefinite period of time in a very simple, practical and effi-- cient manner. As previously stated, it will be understood that any number of the mechanisms or apparatus herein referred to may be employed for completing a communication with as many compartments of a vessel or ship as desired, as it is often the case that seamen are confined in more than one room or compartment of a vessel. In this way, ac-

cess to each compartment containing the seamen is made available.

lt may be well stated at this time, that one of the tubes or comnninications may be used for the purpose of pumping out water from a room or compartment should a slight leali of water exist, and on the other hand, the salvaging of the vessel may be facilitated by repairing the exterior of a ship closing a room or compartment which has been damaged and afteruuirds pumping out such room or com partment to form thereof a float-chamber. ln this event, however, the diver must first remove the plate 28 opening into such chamber and open the valve 24C of the pipe which is to be used for the purpose stated.

The above described operation which has been applied specific-ally to the structure shown in Figs. l to 5 inclusive, also applies to the structure shown in Fig. 6. It will be understood that while certain details of construction are shown for carrying the invention into effect, our invention is not neceslsarily limited to these details, and various changes in and modifications of the construction herein shown and described may be made within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of messes our invention, or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described `our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. The combination with the hull or bulku head of a vessel, of a passage adapted to place one compartment of a vessel in communication with the exterior of the vessel, the outer end of said passage being contained within the boundaries of the hull, a cover plate normally closing the outer end of said passage, means for closing the innerend of said passage, means involving a flexible tube and a coupling on the end of said tube adapted to be coupled with the ship when said cover has been removed, for placing said flexible tube in communication with said passage, said flexible tube extending to atmosphere whereby when the inner end of said passage is open, devices, elements7 and products may be transmitted through said tube and passage into the compartment of the vessel, and means coupled with the exterior of the hull for guiding and reinforcing the flexible tube and the coupling thereof.

2. The combination with the hull or bulkhead of a vessel, of a passage adapted to place one compartment of a vessel in communication with the exterior of the vessel, the outer end of said passage being contained within the boundaries of the hull, a cover plate normally closing the outer end of said passage, means for closing the inner end of said passage, means involving a flexible tube and a coupling on `the end of said tube adapted to be coupled with the ship when said cover has been removed, for placing said flexible tube in communication with said passage, said flexible tube extending to atmosphere whereby when the inner end of said passage is open, devices, elements and products may be transmitted through said tube and passage into the compartment of the vessel, means coupled with the exterior of the hull for guiding and reinforcing the flexible tube and the coupling thereof', and'another cover plate forming a supplemental closure for the inner end of said passage.

3. The combination with the hull or bulkhead of a vessel, of a passage adapted to place one compartment of a vessel in communication with the exterior of the vessel. the outer end of said passage being contained within the boundaries of the hull, a cover plate normall)T closing the outer end of said passage, means for closing the inner end of said passage, means involving a flexible tube and a coupling` on the end of said tube adapted to be coupled with the ship when said cover has been removed for placing said liexible tube in communication with said passage, said flexible tube extending to atmosphere whereby when the inner end of said passage is open, devices, elements and products may be transmitted through said tube and passage linto the compartment of the fvessel,

. means coupled Withthe exterior of the hull for guiding and reinforcing'the flexible tube and thecoupling thereof, anothericover plateV prisingmeans for transmitting devices, products or elementsthrough the hull of a vessel from an exterior source to.' a compartment `Within the vessel, comprising a'pluralityrof V'ucts or elements through thehull of a for the inner tubes, a cover for closing the outer endof saidtubes, said cover. being detachablycoupl-ed with the exterior ofthe hull of the vessel, means for closing the inner `ends of said tubes, and a unit involving a plurality of flexible tubes and l couplings attlie ends of said tubes adapted to be coupledwith the respective tubes in said hull when said cover has been removed.

An apparatus of the classdescribed comprising means for transmitting devices, prodvessel from an exterior source to a compartment Within the vessel, comprising a plurality of tubes, a cover for closingV the outer end VVof said tubes, said cover beingv detachably coupled With the exterior of the hull of the ves sel, means for closing the inner'ends of said tubes, and a unit involving a plurality of flexible tubesand couplings at the ends'of said tubes adapted to be 'coupled with the respective tubes in said hull when said cover has been removed vvhereby when the inner ends of said tubes are open, Water, food' and,V

the like may be transmitted from a source of supply into the compartment of the vessel into Which said tubesA open. A' y 6. An apparatus ofthe class described comprising means for transmitting devices, prodi ucts or elements through the hull of a vessel from an exterior source to a compartment 'Within the vessel, comprising a plurality of tubes, a cover foi-,closingthe outer end'of said tubes, said cover being detachably coupled With the exterior ofthe hull of the'vessel, means forclosing the inner endsof said tubes, Aa unit involving a plurality of flexible tubes and couplings at the ends of said tubes adaptedV to be coupled with therespective tubes in said hull When said cover has been removed whereby when the inner ends of said tubes are open, Water, food and the like may be transmitted from a source of supply into the compartment of the vessel into which said tubes open, and a supplemental closure ends of said tubescomprising a cover plate adapted to be removed in completing the communication, through :said tubes.

' 7. An apparatus of the class described comprising means for transmitting devices, products or elements through the hull of a ends kof .said tubes are open,

closure for the inner ends of v yprovided with a y outwardly through the bulkhead andinvvardvessel fromA fan-exterior source to a compart- Y zment* Withinthe vessel,comprising a plural-` ity of'tubes, acover for closing the outer end. offsaid'tubes, said cover being detachably Vcoupled witlithe. exterior of the liull-` ofthe forclosing the inner', ends of Y vessel means p saidftubes,-a"un1t involving a pluralityV of flexible tubesandcoupling at1the ends of said tubes adapted to ibevcoupled With'the respective tubes in said hull when said cover has'beenA removedl whereby when the inner the likemay `be transmitted from a source of `closure for the'inner ends'of said 'tubescomprisinga` cover'plate adapted to be removed in,4 completing the` communication through said tubes, andcne of. sai'd'tubes'constituting Y' signal transmitting means for transmitting messages from the exteriorlof the vessel to d f thesaid compartment.

V,means fori transmitting devices, products orelementsithrou'ghlthe hull ofl a vessel-from an exteriorV source to 'a compartment f, .Within Vthe vessel, comprising," 'ai plusy ralityof tubes, a cover fori closing the outer end of said tubes, said cover1-being detach ably` coupled with the exterior ofthe hull of the vessel, means'for closing the linner'ends of said tubes, a unit'involving akplura'lity "of liexible tubes and couplings.. at the lends'of a supplemental 8.A An apparatus ofthe class described com` y prising- Water, food "and .supplyinto the AcompartmentYof the vesselv Y y into vwhich said tubes open,

saidetubesadapted tojbefcoupledvvith the re'- Y Y spective ,tubes in said hull :When saidrco'ver has been removed'whereby when theinner endszof saidit-ubes are open,:vvater, food and the likemay tbe transmitted from asourcefof supply: into the compartifnent'of'thervessel` into which said tubes open, a supplemental said tubes comv prising a coverv plate adaptedto-beremoved l in completing the "communication through` said tubes, one ofsaid tubes constituting signal transmitting means `for transmitting mesof the vessel to' said sagefrom the exteriorl Y compartment, .and said unitY involving a frame coupled vwith the exterior-of the hull-` and adapted to guide the couplings lof said flexible tubes and to reinforce said couplings andsaidtubes'. l

9 In a vessel," the bulkhead of Which is transmitting tube opening ly into a compartment `Within the vessel, a unitcompr1s1ng a frame, a couplingin said Aico ies,l

ii5 Y frame and; arranged atthe end of a flexible tube, said coupling being adaptedto place said flexible tube in communication With said' transmitting tube, said frame being adapted to be secured Vto the bulkhead to reinforce said coupling and iiexible tube.

l0. The combination With the bulkhead of a ship having4 a plurality of tubes for placingV the exterior ofthe ship in communicafio tion with a compartment Within the ship, ot a unit consisting of a plurality of flexible tubes, couplings on the ends of said tubes for placing the ieXible tubes in communication Wit-h the tubes in said bulkhead, and means for supporting said couplings in predetermined spaced relation to facilitate the alinement and mounting of said couplings in connection with the first named tubes.

1l. The combination With the bulkhead of a ship having a plurality of tubes for plac ing the exterior of the ship in communica tion with a compartment Within the ship, of a unit consisting of a plurality of flexible tubes, couplings on the ends of said tubes for placing the flexible tubes in communication with the tubes in said bulkhead, and means for supporting said couplings in predetermined spaced relation to facilitate the alinement and mounting of said couplings inconnection with the 4iirst named tubes, said last named means being coupled with the exterior of the bulkhead and also serving to reinforce said couplings and said ii'eXible tubes.

l2. A vessel, the hull of which is provided with a passage formed by part of the hull. structure and adapted to place one compartment of a vessel in communication with the exterior of the vessel, the outer end of said passage being contained Within the boundaries oit' thehull, the outer end oiu the passage being open, a cover plate coupled With the hull and normally closing the outer end oi said passage, means for closing the inner end ofthe passage Within the hull, and said closure means involving a lens. i

13. A vessel, the hull of which is provided with a plurality of independent passages adapted to place the interior of the hull in communication with the exterior thereof,- inner and outer closure plates attached to the hull for closing said passages, and manually operated means exposed to the interior ci' the hull structure when the inner cover plate is removed for opening and closing said pas sages.

In testimony that We claim the foregoing as our invention We have signed our names this 10th day of February, 1928.

CHARLES A. OHMAN. W'ILLIHARD T. OHMAN. 

